The Paradise Valley, a major river valley in southwestern Montana, is 15 miles away from the North Entrance and serves as one of the closest attractions beyond the parks borders. Following in the bisons footsteps, this is when elk reach their rut, particularly around Mammoth Hot Springs. Campsites charge $15 to $32 per night, excluding taxes. WebThe Yellowstone South Entrance is located about 25 miles north of Grand Teton National Park and about 57 miles north of the famous Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Drive through the valley and find a spot to sit and watch for animals. Evening: Hayden Valley. Three days in Yellowstone is enough time to see all the highlights in the park without feeling rushed. National parks overcrowded? However, if you only have one day, you can see the top attractions. As frigid as it can get in December, the amount of snowfall comes back down considerably come January, whose monthly average is around 15 inches. Featured Image Credit: Rapid City is the best airport near Yellowstone for travelers who want to visit the best of South Dakotas Black Hills and the best of Wyoming in one amazing trip. Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze! Yellowstone National Park Has Five Entrances 7. The distances to the entrances will be listed in this article, but since Yellowstone is a very busy park, as we already mentioned here, please keep in mind that getting around Yellowstone could take longer than expected, especially if you visit the park in high season and do not leave early in the morning. Its hard to blame them: The weather is consistently sunny and warm, roads, trails, and facilities are all completely open, and seasonal activities allow tourists to enjoy Yellowstone to its fullest potential. Below I have tried to make a quick list and later will go into greater detail about the main attractions, towns, and hotels near the various entrances of the park so that this can help you plan your itinerary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A number of first-come, first-served camping sites can also be found outside of Yellowstone, such as in the Shoshone National Forest near the East Entrance and at Hegben Lake near the West Entrance, which also has easy RV camping at Yellowstone Holiday. To get to the trailhead, park at Jenny Lake and take the ferry across the lake. The Roosevelt Lodge is 28 miles away from the Northeast Entrance, making it another good choice for those staying at the Lodge or in nearby Cooke City, MT. If any U.S. destination could be considered a trip of a lifetime, Yellowstone National Park would surely top them all. Just have a good time and get early morning starts. Dont forget your binoculars as the wildlife might be far away. Beyond that, the biggest expenses you will incur are gas andhotel or campsite nightly fees. The East Entrance lies in Wyoming, in a remote area around 50 miles from the nearest town of Cody. Yellowstone has eight lodges inside the park, plus several campgrounds. Where to Stay: Canyon Village or West Yellowstone. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. Here is a link to what services will still be open during your stay. The Grand Loop Road also connects the parks five entrances. For that reason, I recommend spending most of your time in the Old Faithful area. Yellowstone National Park conditions website, 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park, Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone National Park, Best Places to Stay in and Near Yellowstone. Mesa Falls is located around 50 miles from the West Entrance. End your trip to Yellowstone with wildlife watching in Lamar Valley, one of the premier wildlife destinations in the park. There is at least one on each side of the park. However, the fact that it is farther from the main attractions compared to the West Entrance makes it a bit more inconvenient in my opinion. Nearby places of interest outside the park: Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (0.2 miles), Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center (45 miles), Fort Yellowstone Historic District (5 mi). Scope Rental. If youre staying outside the park, the closest place to stay is in West Yellowstone, about 1 hour away. Unlike the other Yellowstone National Park entrances, the North Entrance is the sole entry point that remains open year-round. Hot Tip:Yellowstones fall foliage can be tricky to catch, as the color change comes and goes extremely quickly. The Northeast Entrance often makes the most sense for those traveling from Billings, MT, and other destinations in the states northeast. Dawn and dusk are especially good times for photography and wildlife-spotting (particularly in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley) when animals are most active. That said, humidity is never an issue due to lack of rainfall and the thin, high-altitude atmosphere. REI Adventures and Wildland Trekking also arrange Yellowstone trips. Hardy species like bison and elk are not shy of visitors, nor do they hibernate, which means spotting them in Yellowstone National Park is pretty much guaranteed throughout the year. Read on for everything you need to know to plan an expert trip to Yellowstone National Parkwhether it's your first time visiting, or your fiftieth. www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/noldfaith.htm, www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm, www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/nmadison.htm, www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/nmammoth.htm, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River Area, http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/. Freezing temperatures, frequent snowfall, hibernating wildlife, and road and facility closures that render much of the park off-limits can be difficult to contend with for all but the most dedicated travelers. Expect brisk temps that range from single digits to the low 20s, but also a truly peaceful experience with multicolored hot pools against white snow, bison herds crusted with icicles, and Old Faithful seemingly all to yourself. Within 60 miles of Wyomings South Entrance, upscale Jackson Hole shines with locally owned options, like Gavin Fines new Bistro, luxury Hotel Jackson and Stio for splurge-worthy outerwear. Home to specialty boutiques, a range of hotels, and popular restaurants, the town has more than enough to keep travelers satisfied. Where to Stay: Canyon Village. This gives you about three days in Yellowstone and two days in Grand Teton. From unique gateway towns to proximity to certain park highlights, the entrance you chose plays a big role in your experience. Hot Tip:If youre taking planning a road trip into the park near the end of the year, make sure your drive begins and ends at Yellowstones North Entrance the only entrance that remains open year-round because of its low elevation. You can choose to sleep outside the park, taking advantage of the ample supply in the town of Jackson, or spend the night inside the park at Grant Village 20 miles away, which is a good location close to Yellowstones geysers. Grand Loop Road connects all the entrances to Yellowstone. Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Travel in USA 2012-2023 All Rights Reserved. Those staying at Grant Village could find using the South Entrance convenient as the accommodation is less than 20 miles away from the entrance. Shes passionate about creating travel content that inspires her readers to take a leap of faith and power through their bucket lists. Therefore, I highly recommend booking your accommodations when you get your trip on the calendar. Depending on the time of your visit you may be forced to choose one entrance over another, here are all the seasonal closures of access roads to the park: Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites. After catching the Old Faithful eruption from the viewing area, explore the rest of the Upper Geyser Basin. Fees for entering Yellowstone National Park are $20 per person on foot and $35 a car, and reservations are currently only required for camping. Featuring six different visitor centers, the park is shaped by towering mountains, sweeping valleys, and sparkling lakes that rise between dense forests and colorful patches of blooming wildflowers. It is a hike suitable for all skill levels. Email needed if you'd like comment updates. After the school year concludes, families take time off and pack up the kids to enjoy summers improving weather. Once Memorial Day weekend hits, rates to begin to rise and dont come back down until the end of the fall. Yellowstone National Park offers eight lodges inside the park, in addition to a dozen campgrounds. West Entrance. The Northeast Entrance winds through Yellowstones wildlife wonderland, the Lamar Valley. For three days in Yellowstone National Park, youll follow the same 2-day Yellowstone itinerary above. Here is the best 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary. Adding a third day gives you time to explore some less visited and off-the-beaten-path attractions. Grizzly bears reappear this month and are easily spotted while hunting for food with their newborn cubs. In addition, youll find a quick recap on the first two days below. The north entrance is a few miles from Mammoth Hot Springs, a collection of colorful and ever-changing rock formations shaped by hot water rising to the surface. In the summer months, even hotels outside the park will fill up several months in advance. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Yellowstone Lake, the largest mountain lake at an elevation of more than 7,000 feet, is 28 miles away, Yes, summer has the best weather, longer days, baby animals, and wildflowers, but also the most people. You can visit Yellowstone National Park in one day if you are only interested in seeing the top attractions. Keep in kind that wildfire season is also still in effect, which may affect air quality. The parks West Entrance is located in Montana, in the town called West Yellowstone, which is particularly convenient for visiting the geyser area, Im sharing the best 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day itineraries for Yellowstone National Park, plus: Are you ready to plan an epic Yellowstone National Park vacation, no matter how much time you have to spend? Spend the night in a national park lodge. In other words, it is possible to enjoy the parks natural wonders without feeling claustrophobic, so long as you avoid spending too much time near popular attractions. Also, dont miss the Abyss Pool, Fishing Cone, and Black Pool. Should I get the America the Beautiful Pass? 2 choices. Yellowstone is most renowned for its impressive geysers, pools, and hot springs. Keep your eyes peeled for bison, bears, coyotes, and even wolves! Learn best practices and local favorites from a frequent visitor to the world's first national park. The park is vast, sometimes requiring more than an hours drive to get between sights, so plan out your itinerary ahead of time to anticipate costs. Located between Gardiner, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs, Ascending three miles one-way from 8,878-foot Dunraven Pass up to the 10,223-foot Mount Washburn summit, the popular, There is no better way to delve into the park than a class or a park tour with the, Back in service after a half-century absence, a fleet of restored, A popular gateway to Yellowstone National Park is, How to Escape the Crowds at Yellowstone National Park. Here are a few recommendations if you want to stay close to popular attractions: Whether you are seduced by the endless sun and fun of summer, falls changing leaves and active wildlife, the ethereal, snowy landscapes of winter, or the cold, quiet months of spring, there is truly no wrong time to visit Yellowstone. You Need More Than a Day 11. The West Entrance is also the most viable access point for those staying in accommodation near Old Faithful. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. The numerous national parks are among the most popular destinations in California and are, More than 3 million people travel every year to visit Yosemite National Park, the first conservation area designated by the United States back in 1864.
